If you’re looking for a peaceful place to visit in Da Lat, Truc Lam Zen monastery is one of the best options. It’s only 5 km from the center, entry is free, and beyond being one of the most important temples in the area, it has lovely views over Tuyen Lam lake and the pine forests surrounding it.
It’s a worthwhile visit not just for the monastery itself but for the setting — perfect for a stroll and for soaking up the solemn, contemplative atmosphere of the place.
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The history of Truc Lam Zen monastery
The monastery was founded by zen master Thich Thanh Tu as a place of meditation and Buddhist learning. Although its atmosphere may make it feel ancient, it’s actually quite recent: it was built back in the 1990s.
The name Truc Lam translates roughly as “Bamboo Forest” and refers to the Truc Lam Yen Tu zen school, a distinctly Vietnamese strand of zen Buddhism. It’s said that Thich Thanh Tu himself chose this spot beside Tuyen Lam lake, because Da Lat offered exactly what he was after: a temperate climate, silence and a perfect setting for meditation.
What to see at Truc Lam Zen monastery
The visit is easy and pleasant, and consists mainly of wandering the main building and the gardens around it.
Bear in mind that only the public area is open to visitors. The meditation and residential areas can’t be visited.
The main hall
The main building is the heart of the visit, and inside you can often catch the monks praying before the enormous Buddha statue housed there. To one side you’ll also see the bell tower, whose bell is believed to have been cast by bronze artisans from Hue.
The gardens and the views
Surrounding the building are others serving as the monks’ residence, along with several immaculately kept flower gardens that reinforce the sense of serenity running through the whole place.
In our opinion, the best part of the visit isn’t “seeing” any one thing in particular, but simply walking the monastery grounds and letting the atmosphere carry you.
It’s true that it’s one of Da Lat’s most touristy spots and can get fairly busy at times, but it’s still a highly recommended visit — especially if you fancy a calmer stop on your route around the city.
From several points in the monastery you’ll get good views of Tuyen Lam lake. And if you want to stretch the plan out a little, you can walk down to the lake along a path of stone steps.
How to get to Truc Lam Zen monastery
The monastery sits south of Da Lat, about 5 km from the center, atop a hill. You have basically three different ways to get there.
By cable car
For us, this is the best option. The Da Lat cable car departs from a nearby hill and covers some 2.3 km over the pine forests on a short ride of about 10-12 minutes.
The cable car costs 120,000 VND one way or 150,000 VND round trip (about US$4.60-5.80). The cabins hold 4 people.
Beyond being practical, arriving by cable car is worth it for the views alone, weather permitting.
We recommend going up early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the light tends to be best and there are fewer people.
By taxi or Grab
If you prefer comfort or would rather not complicate things, the easiest way is by Grab or taxi. From central Da Lat it takes about 15-20 minutes.
A Grab to the monastery will run you around 60,000-80,000 VND (about US$2.30-3), so it’s not an expensive option either.
By rented motorbike
If you’re getting around Da Lat by motorbike, you can also make your own way there without trouble. The route is straightforward and usually well signposted.
There’s parking at the entrance for around 10,000 VND (under US$0.50).
Tips for visiting Truc Lam Zen monastery
Before you go, we recommend keeping this in mind:
- Dress respectfully, because it remains an active religious site.
- Don’t enter the restricted areas. Only the public section is open to visitors.
- Keep your voice down and avoid excessive noise, especially near the quieter parts of the grounds.
- If you can, go early in the morning, especially if you want to avoid large groups and enjoy the place more calmly.
Truc Lam Zen monastery: hours and prices
Here are the practical details worth having to hand:
- Monastery hours: 7:30 am to 4:45 pm
- Entrance fee: free
- Cable car: 120,000 VND one way or 150,000 VND round trip (about US$4.60-5.80)
- Cable car hours: 7:30 am to 5:00 pm
- Motorbike parking: 10,000 VND
Important: Hours can change, so it’s worth checking before you go.
Combining Truc Lam Zen with Tuyen Lam lake
One of the best ways to plan a visit to Truc Lam Zen monastery is to combine it with Tuyen Lam lake. In fact, we’d almost say it’s the ideal approach.
After exploring the monastery, you can walk down toward the lake via the stone stairway and spend a while there.
If you want to take the visit slowly, allow around 3-4 hours to see both areas without rushing.
If you ride up by cable car and then walk down to the lake, you can get back to the center by Grab from there without much hassle.
Frequently asked questions about Truc Lam Zen monastery
Here are the most common questions.
Entry to the monastery is completely free. You will only pay if you decide to ride up on the cable car (150,000 VND round trip, about US$5.80) or if you arrive by motorbike and use the parking (around 10,000 VND).
The monastery is open daily from 7:30 am to 4:45 pm. If you plan to ride up on the cable car, note that it runs on shorter hours: 7:30 am to 5:00 pm.
Yes, the monastery offers short stays for anyone interested in learning about zen Buddhism and practicing meditation. To arrange one you need to contact the monastery directly by phone in advance. Bear in mind that communication is usually in Vietnamese, although some monks speak English.
The best way is the Da Lat cable car (150,000 VND round trip). You can also take a taxi or Grab from central Da Lat (15-20 minutes, around 60,000-80,000 VND) or ride a rented motorbike.
Yes. As an active religious site, visitors are asked to dress respectfully. Avoid tank tops, very short pants and skirts above the knee.
With 1.5-2 hours you have enough time to explore the monastery at a relaxed pace. If you also want to walk down to Tuyen Lam lake, allow around 3-4 hours in total.
✔️ Information reviewed and last updated in April 2026.
